Buckle up, this one's gonna be a rambler...
I hate rejection. I suppose we all do. Any kind mostly sucks... friends, jobs, lovers, even strangers! As a musician, rejection is going to be staring me in the face for the rest of my days. Or however long I decide to pursue things in this musical world. Yeah, that really sucks.
A few years ago, when I first really dipped into the performance level of music, rejection was my biggest nightmare. I constantly worried that no one would like me, my style, my songs. And that made things so much worse on stage. I felt I HAD to be perfect and I NEVER was. I wanted everyone to be my biggest fan. Ha, the idea now makes me chuckle. But, it was a very good lesson. And one that has taken me years to learn.
So, finally (FINALLY!!) this week my lesson in rejection came to an end. In the past 4 months, I have been given some wonderful opportunities in the Austin music scene and am SO thankful for all of those. NOT ONCE have I felt rejected here. Funny huh...you would think it would lie around waiting for every musician to capture. But it's not what this town is about. Austin is about chances and the people that are here to take theirs.
This is the lesson: Rejection only comes to those who anticipate it. Sure, people say no, but it just means your knocking on the wrong door. Or, you've been visiting the wrong "house" for way too long.
So I say F' it. I no longer want to hear the word, I no longer want to feel it. And I most certainly no longer want to feel less worthy because of it. Music is the path I've chosen, so yes, I will be growing some thicker skin, but that other part? It's no longer part of the equation. Tell it to go knock on someone else's door (okay, hopefully not yours). ;)
